Prefabricated building construction



Jan. 19, 1954 E. o. KLEMM PREFABRICATED BUILDING CONSTRUCTION 7Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 12, 1949 INVENTOR.

Jan. 19, 1954 E. o. KLEMM PREFABRICATED BUILDING CONSTRUCTION 7Sheets-Sheet 2 EB- 1E! INVENTOR.

Filed Jan. 12, 1949 155 FEE E. o. KLEMM PREFABRICATED BUILDINGCONSTRUCTION Jan. 19, 1954 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 12, 1949INVENTOR.

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E. O. KLEMM PREFABRICATED BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Jan. 19, 1954 7Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 12, 1949 INVENTOR.

Jan. 19, 1954 E. o. KLEMM PREFABRICATED BUILDING CONSTRUCTION 7Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Jan. 12, 1949 INVENTOR. YQAZ/WW 8% E. o. KLEMMPREFABRICATED BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Jar;. 19, 1954 Filed Jan. 12, 1949 7Sheets-Sheet 7 IN V EN TOR.

Patented Jan. 19, 1954 Y PREFABRICATED BUILDING CONSTRUCTION V Y Edwino. Klemm, Saginaw, Mien. Application January 12, 1949, Serial No. 70,439

My present invention consists or building construction. .The inventiondeals with the problem of housing shortage today to the extent'that aprimary. aim thereof is to devise a'pre-fabricated type of house havingspecial features of advantage. These features includetemployment ofarchitectural elements which, from the mechanical angle, maybe madeeconomically,and quickly assembled into theultimate dwelling orbuilding. .In this connection it is notable that in building details Iemploy structural parts and assemblies,'making use of lumber, largely,and furnishing labor to the usual artisans employed in the buildingindustry, both at the mill and on the dwelling site where the buildingis to be erected.

Secondly'my new construction deals with'the social phase of enabling theuser to construct a dwelling of relatively small. size,-say two or threerooms, and progressively add rooms or extensions to the originalstructure without in any way requiring the demolishing, or mutilation,of such original structure. Thus the needs of a small family may be met,as well as those of a family increasing in size, or even a veryflargefamily, utilizing all the while abasic plan with many variationsaccording therewith, and basic units of pre-built structure always to beavailable as apart of the pre-planned constructions.

In its third phase my invention has fully in contemplation theimportance of dwelling production, especially, that may be broughtwithin the financial reach of largest number of people having ability tobuy homes; To this end I have designed all structural details with aview to obtaining mass production, ease of assemblage at the site oferection, *sturdiness of construction for long lasting quality, quickannexing of supplemental chamber or room space, economy of space, andconveniencein arrangement of rooms, closets, Stairways, and divers otherstructural features.

Exemplifying one of the above matters in more detail, I deal with thefeature of additions to the original buildingstructure. Where the floorjoist connections f a1 made .to the walls of the building, there areprovided openin s in the wall leading from-the joist ends. Theseopenings originally are capped or closedrby what :may be ornamental capblocks or 'members. Adding a room extension only requires removal ofthese blocks at the wall from which the addition is to :extend, toenable introducing the cends of extension joists pf the original type,and

of a new house Claims. (01120-2) then the walls and ceilings or roofs ofthe extensions maybe made from the same type of prefabricated panel andother units as was the original structure.

Another feature of my invention resides in having, as a basic unit of myarchitectural 'assembly, a special type of prefabricated panel unit,.preferably of wood, though metal may be resorted to in itsconstruction. This anel unit' enters. into the construction of manyportions of the building, i. e., walls, partitions, floors, roofs,doors, windows, counters, cabinets, closets, and any load bearingsections of the erection.

Still another feature of my invention lies in the frame constructionemployed, which is conducive to making curved side and roof buildingsand buildings having combined curved and straight sides, with additionsof more conventional rectangular shapes. The frame structureissusceptible of being structurally self-supporting and independent ofthe side and roof structure .in this respect. This enables ageneralcurved'outer building enclosure to -be set up either before orafter theframe assemblage is complete, all conducive'to a flexibility of erectionand material handling not heretofore achieved, to my knowledge.

Many other features of my invention of less major importance than thoseabove referred to are included in my invention and will be dealt with inthe description hereinafter to be read ,in conjunction with the annexeddrawings, and

in the latter:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a typical dwelling incorporatingthe general features of my invention, the front side of the dwellingbeing unclosed to enable the frame construction to be seen,'thearrangement of the stairway and certain closet space being disclosed indotted lines. I

Figure 2 isa view similar to Figure 1, showing how the generaloriginalbody construction of the dwelling may be combined withextensions panel unit employed in my building construetion and utilizedfor building the sides-,1 fiools v and roof features of the saidconstruction. V

Figure 6 is a detail perspective view of one of the tongue and groovemembers of the panel unit alone. I

Figure 7 is an end view of the member shown in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a front edge view of the member shown in Figure 6.; I Figure.9 is asfragmentary isectional viewiziofr the tongue and'rgrooveinterlocked aportins. ofj two of the members such as shown;in:Figure;:6.

Figure 10 is a perspective view 'shovving:;partially one of the panelunits-of Figure 6, as: when. mounted between two .:joists;l dotted linesIShOW! ing adjacent panelaunits;as-assooiated with said joists and thejoists themselves being illustrated in'dotted lines, the view-bringingout the'manner'. in' which, the. panel unit actually measures or;establishes the :distancesatwhich .thejoists are; spaced when they areplaced in position.

Figure 11 is a horizontal sectional view through a special panel unitofj'thetgeneralzclass shown insFigure 5 but designedfor.:providing;;window construction.

Figure 12' is a -view:in elevation :of the panel: unit of Figure 11.;

Figure 13. is an edge view "of-the. panelunitiofi Figure 11.. 7

Figure 14 isva modifiedform of :panel unit filluser trated 'in endview,'and showing how-thesunitstructure may be modified for:providingdiiier';- ent "arrangements of the. individualmembers: thereof forartistic or other reasons;

Figure 15 is a front elevation of the unit shown: iniFigure 14 andhaving curved formation-:atits upper end to conformwith .the'curvatureoflthe end wall of the dwelling:as showniin'nFigure 1.'

Figure 16 isiafrontielevationalzview of another a type of-panel similarto that of Figure-:"15'yand designed for the same generalpurposevas-ere-s gards fitting the curved: end of the dwellings Figure17 is'an end view of the unit :shown in; I

Fig re. 22 ois a fragmentary view ,i11u'stratingvv one of thelplatemembers at the upper ends of: two column members, one of thelatterflshownx in full lines and one ,indotted lines; with the joistmembersinterlocked" with the plate mem ber, of which there would-be two"spaced apart; one of the joists being shown in full lines as much as:may be illustrated in full lines, the other joist being illustrated indottedlinesgand one; ofthe;

floor panels beingshown in position on the joists in dotted lines,illustrating the manner in which the joists may be actually controlledin spacing by means of said panels, the panels, of course being ofstandard size for such purpose.

Figure 23 is a view showing largely the members shown in Figure 22,fragmentary in illustrating,and bringing out the openings at the top ofthe acolumn" members; for" receiving heating pipes; watch pipes; andotherservice connections of a similar nature, this view showing clearlythe manner of the interlocking of the end blocks on thexjoistwmemberwith the plates at the top of the-column members.

Fig-ure 24 is a view in side elevation of one of the column membersalone.

Figure 25.;isiantedge elevation of the member shown in Figure 24;Fig-uree26 is a perspective view, partly broken away and bringing outsome details of modified arrangements of thezwallzconstruction,partition construction, that may beiembodied in;the;frame:andtwal'l features ofi'theidwelling; embodyingomy dltiOiISDfTUSG-T:

Figure 2lrzisxa rfragmentary sectional view br-inginguoutmore'clearlyrthe mounting of cer: tain: of the panel-'unitssiasforafioor or ceiling construction; upon" the:.;joistimembers-, with ceilinorother pipes; be'neathizthezxpanel units for, obtaining radiant:rheatingrorcarryingxwater or the like to yariousiportionsrzof'. the'idwelling. In this view theJ'joists are: showniiascut so: as to re:-ceive upwardlyl "or adownwardly;v curved sealing plates ofsuitableaflexiblezmetal or:the:.1ike which may be easily placed inposition and also. easily removed when zaccessi ii 'edesired itothey-parts housed between athei'panel'ilnitsi and :said .plates, and forcleaning purposeszas' wellix.

Figure" 28fis-:;a ViBW KSOIIIGWhEtL similar; to Fi ure 1 27 "showing; asomewhatr: difierentarrange-- ment of the sealing .platesathat: may. beapplied to the joists;;.as.:compared;-rwith those of Figure 27; V

Figure 29 is -a fragmentaryrzperspective view showing how-:the: paneliinitsofxmy invention may be embodieduinithe.curved endwall or roofstructure ofthe dwelling,'. thezboard members of,

I thnnits' beingdisposed-:tto;:fa'ce inwardly. and

provide a'finished :wallijor ceiling structure; as the-casem'ay be,-'and1a metal: covering being dis-. posed overflthe panel unitstatthesiedges,:of the strin'gers thereof; 1

Figure -30is a view-ia imilarcto.rFigure' 29 but showing how :the panelunitsi'may be placed in positions reversed :to .those'ashown in Figure29, whereby the board members: are; outermost; and provide a weatherprotectivexcoveringpor. siding as for-use.in vconjunction withrthe endsofroof portions of- -the:.:bui-lding= :shown :rin Figure-1, or thepanels; if placed straightzin dine, may be em ployed to supply a regularflat roof-"structure. In the form ofFigure '30 thehjoistszbetween theedges of the panels .willlbe :suppliediwith' the feltweatheristrips-and:also maytbeusedrto carry the, eaves troughsiif;"'.dBSilZefl,i; as-iillustratedz in the figureti:

Figure 3B is a front;viewoffcertainiiramework' of: the main'iibodyofipthe. flouilding as; sher n in Figure 32 shows a wall of the buildingfrom the foundation .to the roof, viewing the panel units edgewisethereof, and in a somewhat diagrammatic manner.

Figure 33 is a general perspective view of the frame structure of thebuilding somewhat like Figure 18 but showing certainarchitecturaldetails absent in Figure 18; also how certain plate membersmay have ornamental extensions at ends thereof for projection from wallsof the building at corners or elsewhere, together with the use of edgefinishing strips at the vertical edges of the panel units.

Figure 34 is a diagrammatic elevational view of my building structurewhen of generally curved or semi-circular form. 1

Figures 35, 36 and 37 are sectional views taken on the lines 35-35, 3636and 31-31, respectively, of Figure 34, bringing out details of therelations of the side or roof shell portions, joist and panel unitassemblies. 7

Figure 38 is a perspective view of a modified form of panel unit boardmember, one which is recessed on opposite sides so as to receivestringer connecting members, one to be on each side of the panel unitmade of such board members.

To give a general idea of my dwelling type structure, though myinvention is not necessarily limited to such because quite adaptable toother classes of buildings, I first refer to Figure l of my drawings. Inthis figure I depict a generally curved end wall structure with partlycurved and partly flat roof sections. The shape is semicircular,generally speaking, in reference to a two story structure.

The space in the house is economized by placing the stairs I at one ofthe four corners and extending up from the first floor to the secondfioor, by inclining in the direction of the inclination of the curvedend wall 2. This view also discloses the frame structure in theenclosure of the dwelling, which frame structure is erected preferablyprior to the enclosure being completed by the erection of the variouspanels that constitute the units of special novelty of my invention andwhich are used for the outside wall, end wall, partition, floor, andgroup structures of the completed dwelling unit. Thus, the frameconstruction may be employed as a scaffolding. to a certain extent forfacilitating the emplacement of the various members of the end and sidewalls, and the roof structure of the completed building unit. Thegeneral arrangement of the end wall and roof panel units is observable,as well as the column members, floor, ceiling, and joist members,closets, and wall compartments, in Figure 1.

For small dwellings the base structure, as an ex-.

The sizes of dwellings made in accordance with my invention will ofcourse be standardized, and

may be similarlyincreased proportionally for larger dwellings oforiginal construction. 0r.

dwelling structure may be of course enlarged by making quicklyconstructable additions in a manner that will more fully be describedhereinafter,

the original completed building structure someoperations that may beperformed easily upon istics and general sealing advantages.

6 what in the manner shown in Figures 2 and 3 of my drawings.

Since much of the construction of a building embodying my invention iswrapped up in the provision of a peculiar form of a basic structuralpanel unit, I shall refer first to the form of this unit which isdesigned to be embodied in a form of universal application for differentpurposes in the building construction and this unit is designed to be ofsufficient thickness for insulation against weather, and also for soundinsulation. Figure 5 of the drawings illustrates a preferred form of thestructural panel unit to which I refer same being a load supporting unitand being especially designed to be made, where wood is used, from.lumber provided in short lengths to overcome many undesirablecharacteristics of lumber, such as warping, undue expansion andcontraction, etc. By using short lengths of lumber in this panel unit,waste is avoided and thus a saving in construction cost is afforded, notto mention the facility with which smaller pieces of lumbermay behandled in assembling panel units. Each panel unit, generally designatedat A in Figure 5, is made up of a series of transverse board members 3providing a flat body section, and which members 3 are connected byparallel stringers 4 that extend generally the entire length of thepanel unit. The transverse board members 3 are largely of theconstruction seen in Figures 6, '7, and 8, and comprise rather shortlengths of board near the opposite ends of which, and on one side, areprovided the stringer receiving grooves 5 which may be characterized ascut in notches. The notches are importantly used because they afford asaving of time in that they enable self-aligning of the members 3 inassembling them in the panel. Likewise,the notches 5 aid in preventingthe panel from sagging, especially when disposed vertically or inpartial vertical direction, and likewise the notches are useful inself-spacing the stringers 4 in the assembly operation. Each of themembers 3 of the panels A is provided with a tongue 6 on onelongitudinal edge, and a groove 1 on the other edge, after the manner oftongue and groove flooring structure of common known type, and for thepurpose of preventing infiltration of weather on joining of the pieces 3into the final panel structure, as well as providing the usual bracingstructure intermediate the members 3. At each end thereof, the member 3is formed with grooves 8, and when the members 3 are as sembled, thevarious grooves 8 are in alignment and form a continuous groove alongeach of the opposite longitudinal edges of the panel unit structure. Thegrooves 8 are designed to receive a sealing strip which is disposed tointerlock in the adjacent grooves of two panels when the latter areassembled. Figure 10- illustrates a little more clearly the manner ofarrangement of said sealing strips which are designated 9 in said view,and which may be made of various types of material having weatherresistant character- The strip may be of specially coated wood, or maybe made of metal, or may be made of composition of weather-resistantnature. In Figure 5 the panel A is seen fully assembled, with thestringers A in the notches 5 of the members 3 and the various tongue andgroove portions of the members 3 suitably interlocked to afford completerigidity and weather resistant assemblage, in an obvious manner. havingload supporting characteristics, and it is This panel unit -A is astructural unit designed to-bemade in special'standard'sizes; and

to be used for the construction of walls,2:parti tions, floors, doorswroofs-,windows,- by. certain modification, counters or cabinets, and topr0- vide a truss over wider spaces-having in view itsload-bearingfunctions The-stringers 4 are'intended tobe spaced apartstandard distances, so

that when the panel'units are utilized somewhat in the manner shown inFigure 10, the units A will-enable the joists NJ-see Figure 18, or thecolumns H see the same figure, to be properly spaced when placed inposition without the necessity for actually measuring thedistancesalong.-

the plate members l2 atthe upper ends of the column members I I;asexamples of the utility of the units in the above connection.

The-members 3 of thepanel units A may of course-be nailed or attachedtothe stringers i in any suitable mannerxforrigid connection be- 7 tweensaid'parts. Under some conditions it is within the purview of myinvention, in View of the versatility of the use of the panel member orunit A,that this member may be constructed out of metal parts, such aschannels having the general'conformation-of the members 3, andrectangular channels having. the conformation of Obviously,-the panelunits A may bemade of different lengths and diiferent widths, but alwaysit"should beborne in'mind that they should be built in standard sizes,sizes that will fit along side and endwise of one another and sizes thatmay be especially designed for use in building, say closets, orsquarecompartments, as the case may be.

Necessarily, there aresome variations in the shapes of these panel unitsA, dependent upon the particuiar function to be performed by said units.The edges of the members or stringers 4 of the panel unitsmay be square,rounded, and in any other ways beautified to suit the environment of theinterior or the exterior exposure of the panel,

dependent on whether the said members i are tion a series of the members3 is used at the top of the panel and the corresponding series of suchmembers 3 at the bottom of the panel. In conjunction with theseseries-of members 3,-I employ longitudinalmembers 13 which arelongitudinally grooved to receive the. stringers 4. Thespacing of themembers-i3 enables one "or more glass panes" to be used between "thesame and between i the upper and lower series of members 3, said panes;being designated l4 aspseen in Figure 11 and in Figure 129 The foregoingillustrates how a window may bemade' in a uniform standard size I byemploying the general features of my panel structure, it beingunderstood that the outer edgesofrthe boardslorilongitudmalnmembers i 3:willi'be grooved as: at: I3 "so that the grooves I williformta Icontinuation. of the-grooves}; on the edges of I the members 3.

In Figures '14 and 15 I illustrate a form of panel made up anddesignated A, the same for the purpose of dealing with the' problem ofthe curvature of the end 2 of a dwelling unit like'that in Figure 1. Thepanels of Figures 14 and 15' are largely made just like the panelsA,-though' at the upper portion the panels A" may have longitudinalmembers I5 ofdifferent lengths and' intermediate tongue and grooveconnected short transverse members 16 in-orderto provide variation ofpossible artistic utility in the panel construction. However, theupperend' ofthe entirepanel A" in Figuresle and 15 is'curved and thecurvature-is predetermined so that it wil1 fit the general curvature ofthe end or roof portion of the'dwelling structurein Figure 1illustration, so

that there isno necessity to do any cutting or sawing of the panels onthe job. The idea of the,

invention is that everything entering into the construction :shalllargely be prefabricated and that the dwelling structure-to be erectedshall be economically made ,bythe assembling of the variousprefabricated shapes and the units of the invention.

In Figures l6.and 17 I illustrate in end and elevation'views'anotheitkind of panel unit designated A' largely made the same astheunitof Figures 15 and 14 but in which they uppercurved end of theunit is provided by forming the uppermost transverse board member3"of.,substantially tapering formation in order to give the. curvedgeneral conformatiomto the, upper, end. of the unit.

I nextrefer tothe frame. construction of my proposed dwelling orbuilding, because this con.- struction is of great importance andfundamental to the carrying out of theobjectives of my invention.Reference is nowmade primarily to Figure 18 of the drawings, whichinvolves an assembly frame construction includes-the joists it whichareprovided usually atopposite endspbut at-least at one end, with theinterlock blocks It. The said blocks l6 are attached to opposite sidesof the joists W at the ends thereofland project some distancebeyond theends, and the blocks are additionally formediwithv downwardly extendingextensions or lugs I! of somewhat less l0ngitudinal depth than thegeneral structure of the blocks I 6'. The buildin'gfr'ame alsoincludesthe uprights orcolumns ll previously referred to and which columns attheir lower ends are mounted upon blocks l8 resting upon the floorstructure below.

The joists I0 aremadeof predetermined standard lengthsyand these lengthscontrol the extent of the span or width of the basic structure of thedwelling. In'theexample given, the joists are preferably fourteen" tosixteen-feet long, making the basic structure, therefo'ra-fourteen tosixteen feetwide', from front to rear as seen from Figure 1 of thedrawings. The formation of the joists ID is such asto enable the sametobe easily lo cate'd and interlocked and kept in alignment with l2 aresecured to the columns II at the outer and inner sides thereof and inFigure '23 it is to be seen that the plates I2 interlock with theextensions or lugs I'I projecting downwardly from the blocks I 6 on'the'joist ends. This interlock of course affords a rigidifying of theconnection between the various'wall or partition features'cf thedwelling, the joists I virtually constituting interlocking girders. Theplate members I2 rest on shoulders 20 provided by indentations in thefront and rear edges of the columns I l which are members similar tostudding of common forms of dwellings, except that it is preferred thatthese columns or column members I I shall be of somewhat greater weightand sturdiness of construction. The plate members I2 do not enter fullyinto the notches or indents 20 of the columns II but projectsubstantially half the thickness of these members from said indentportions, as seen I lower members being horizontal boards 2I at the iouter sides and adjacent to the lower ends of the column members II. Thihas to do, of course, with the arrangement of the panel units A at theouter sides of the frame and in conjunction with the showing in Figure23, it might be noted that by reason of the setting, on the innershoulder of the columns I I, of the inner plate member I2, any suitableinside finishing boards or wall structures may be applied to the inneredges of the columns II flush or inset from the inner surface of theinner plate member I2 to thus provide a suitable finish for inner wallformation. The inner plate members I 2 are advantageous also in thatthey may sup-port curtainrails such as designated at 22, and the wall orwindows or other portions thereof may be curtainized very readily withappropriate artistic draperies suspended from the rails 22, as may bedesired.

The foregoing represents another major phase of advantage of the type ofconstruction that I employ to provide a means to have the housecurtainized on the interior and is a contributing reason for the designand combination of the plate members I2 to be used for curtainingpurposes. Dealing further with the frame construction as seen in Figure18, it is to be understood,

of course, that the panels A will be mounted at predetermined intervalsbetween the members I2 and 2I and at the outer sides of the columns IIso that the stringers 4 of the panel units will predetermine the pointsof location of thecolumns I I'without necessity for measurement, just asthe said panel units A used for the floor structure in Figure 18 aredesigned to perform the same function in locating of the distancebetween the joists ID. The predetermined sizes of the panels A as usedin the side walls will of course permit of the employment of the windowpanels of the type shown in Figures 11 and 12 or curved upper .endpanels of the type shown in Figures 15 and 1 6,..the widths of all thesepanels being the same-{ 10 so that they can properly be locateddependent upon where they belong in the building structure. Under theseconditions it will be apparent that a window may b :located at a verysuitable place, depending upon the desires of the architect setting ,upthe erection inhis plans. In

- Figure 18 a short form of panel A is seen at the rear of the floor,and this panel unit/may be made, just for example, of one-half the areaof the main panel units of the floor or ceiling as shown in this figure,the aim being to have the units designed to make for the erection ofspaces for use of joist lengths of all standard sizes. The joist lengthsat the rear in Figure 18 are of course short joists because they onlyspan about half the distance of that spanned by the joists I0 for makinga relatively small rear compartment such as a sun room or the like, ascompared with the front compartment made by the joists I0, which mightbe a living room, or similar part.

The lower ends of the columns II are likewise extended or notched toprovide the shoulder portions 23. Under these conditions, of course,base plates or boards may be attached to the opposite sides of the lowerends of the column in a manner similar to the mode of attachment of thehead plates or members I2, previously referred to, at the upper ends ofthe columns.

It will be seen that the outer closing board 2| at the base of thecolumns H, which are the front columns, will be nailed or secured inposition so that it will lie against the front edges of the frontcolumns II which are not notched at such edges at the bottom. Asrespects the columns II at the rear outer side of the house, as

, seen in Figure 18, these also are not notched at their outer loweredges, so that boards like the boards 2I may lie flush against theseouter edges of the columns II for suitable and rigid attachment thereto.Below the boards or members 2I, the lower edges of which areapproximately flush with the lower sides of the panels A for the floorat the base of the columns II, are located closing boards 24 which closethe spaces between the adjacent blocks I6 of the joists I0. Thesemembers" 24 are rather short boards and their ends are spaced apart sothat an opening is provided between such ends that leads to the spacebetween the blocks I6 of each of the joists. For closing the spacebetween the said blocks I6 at the outer end of each of the joists I0where said joist is adjacent to the outer side, in Figure 18 the frontside of the building, I use removable cover or cap members 25. Themembers 25 may be of ornamental shapes. They could be round, orrectangular as illustrated, with bevelled edges, and they may be securedin place quite rigidly by nailing or other attachment to the boards 21and 24. Whenever an addition to the front of the house is desired to beerected, all that is necessary to do in order to emplace the extensionjoists in position is to remove the cover members form directlongitudinal continuation joists for the extension structure that is tobe added to the front of the house as seen in Figure 2.

Under some conditions, referring to Figure 4, it is desirable to userest members that may be readily disposed in longitudinal alignment withjoists. Such rest members are shown in Figure 4 at 21a. These members,instead of joist members, maybe introduced into the spacing be- Tstruction of partitions emanates hen the suitable i covier neiribers '25have been emo'ved a'nd -such--=rest members-inav haempl'oy'ed "tosupport I -baleony extensions of the housetor practical utility "andalso for enhancing the artistic construction-of the dwelling, or suchrest inembers, if short, may be employedtor support window-boxes or 'thelike.

A's seen in'Figure 23, =-atthe -upper ends thereof thecolur'nn members II are-provided with trans- -ve1 -se openings 2 8 which may-beofdifiierent sizes and which are' intended" to enable pipes orelectriclighting conduits or' like' fixture members to beplaced in -no"sitionafter the frame 1 of the building is- 'rected. The "various openings 2 8are in alignment and-th ns provide continuous passage'wa ys in 'thespaee 'betw'een the plates 1 2 and through the ufiper ends of "thecolumn menibers I -'l ior 'suchprovi's'ions as above indicated,including heating;- water, and similar-'pines'nr conduits "-'-It isohvious that th mate membersMa -used to upbort the -'jo'ists" l afford a--substantial ineans 'to' finish th apnearance of the-house insid ando1'1tside;}as well as "c-arryimg tlie load oi thfioors, -rhofs'; andsimilar featui es 0f the dwelling '-c'on# structiom depending on'thelocation ofthe members. The- -lowermost 0f th' side or" plate members l2(see Figure 1'8) inaybe-and are used as I a" part of thefoundation snacefor mounting on conventional cement-or-brick foo'ting." }-Obviously it-"m'ay" be envisioned from= Figure 18" that the l columns I maylee-extendedup *for' second' floor --oonstruction-;' or *et'en higher-"as may be desired,

depending unon the size of the dwelling; and the "joist arrangement'is'-'- 'such that these joists may -be extended forwardlyjand "rearwardlyto any desired distance for erecting'} extensions" forwardlyandrearwardlyofthe dwelling. Likewise,

the dwelling may be added' toendwise, after the mannerillustrated inFigure 3, by building 'ex-. tensions thereon.

Referringto Figure' '26; it'will be" seen" from Figure 26illustrates'clearly how the panel" units "may be emplored 1mdiversified"arrangements, .1 and for manydifferent-purposes. v

" In Figures"27 '-andi28' Ifhaveillustrated sec- L'tiOnal'VieW ofceilingsofj'second floor's'lto'show how in Figure 27 variouskindofpipi'ng, elecltric conduits,- orfairiconduit's' may be'fchanneledbetween the floor' j dists. lCeiling-lights inay be easilyinstallediat-the time 015 erection orqafter the erection 30f sthe.-;house. For improving the appearance of the:ceiling'whereverineeded;flexible materials such as beautiful-plywood or metal 'slicdecoratedsurface members :vmay betnsedby being F quickly coved *into-'- the spaceI between the joists lflmsaid joists beine'provided' with grooves forredeivingthe edges ofthe plywood or metal plates designated' tflj-" thesaid "plates' may- 'be bellied upwardly or downwai'dly as shownat theleft andright-bf gure '--26;-r'especti tely. I hey may be quickly'installed andthey may be-re'adily "removed" ='when' necessary. #1A--niodified 'form= of#75- arrangement ,ofnthe decorative;ceiling.flexible 1 plate members 3 i. is shown. in Figu're '28.,

i InJfFigure- :29 I provide an enlarged: sectional wiew of the roofvshown in Figure liofmy-drawings; and'it will beobs'erved that the,roofspanels aregthesamepanelunits A, previously described, arrangedsomewhat at-an anglelto each other and minterlocked by means of-thestrips fiat the 'upper. and lower longitudinal-edges-of-vtheysaidpanels. Thestrips area designed to; seal; and

, strengthen thejoining ofthe panels of the edges, maintain the sameleakproofigand preventinfiltration offthe weather. Inqit-his;construction the panel units A-iace inwardly; and: whenthey are" made ofWood they -may; afiord aiqvery interesting decoratiye phase---;of thehouse, construction ifgthe grain of, thewood ,is suitable; .or

they may be painted,- -;dependent 'uponl-the ,-whim and artisticdesiresfof theowner ofrtherdwelling.

On the" outside of thestringer members; 4 a of l the panel units Icontemplateapplying aqshell or cover which wil1;-.be made of-sections ofplywood immunized to weather, conditions lay-suitable treatment, or theshell m;ay;. be made-of -steel,-*a1uminum,-or other sheetrnetal sectionsa suitably nailed -orotherwise-secured-to thewari- =ous stringer members4 of the unit, base. -Moreover,- the-above construction affords a-donbleside structureewhich is a :feature of importance in thateit provides-an,intermediate space to resist the penetration. of cold and heat -u-nder.summer and winter weatherrconditions.

\ Another-form, of roof construction whichn ay beemployed andstillutilize thepanelzunitsifit z: is shown in Figure-30. In this view thestringers 4 of the-panel unitstace inwardly andrtheshell.

plywood i lining, or-l m'etalling inner structure ,is designated 32 eand; is vattached to. V the v stringer [members 4 at their. inner edgesas contrasted with the- .dispositionrof .the'rs'hell 33. at the. outeredges of saidis'trifnger membersvin the construction'of Figure 29,

Under the conditions of. the construction of v-Fig1ire30,the'members. 3of thdunitSAQaredevsigned, to take the weather and. will be I finishedfor weather resistance in any suitable, manner 1 as, bybeingsuitahlylnainted or weather protected panel m mbersnarefa in anydesirable way. f. Inj Figure '30, the ,mannerjn which, rain troughs 34may, held, in

fi by in n iend extension-5.; di posed. between the adjacent ngitndinaledges f the v 1 !li iplaceby nails or otherwisebis, clis'closed. 10fcourse the space hetween ithepanelfljmemhers A and ,the angles of thejoinder of thevlon'gitudinaliedges of the same in ,the construction, oiFigure 30 may be filled with waterandair-resistant material in'the, 0D-eratlon of renderingithe roof,weatheriprotected.

,Insome locations. of the, building structure .the

space between'gthe panel members are filled with longitndinali'stripofwoodwhich will give 31 101 1 er iwejatherv, sealjfand'I-extrastrengthening fonthe Joining .ofjthe. panels ifl'hisstrip. of,woodn'omiprises as .very" important. 'pfart of," the structurallelementsiespeciallyl'when the panels arelused in ajvertical.'positiomaslin'Fiurelzdfand indicated as ,Ba. This;,"strip;jsometimes ,as .occasions 'requirein the"jdesigii'ofithefrooms and'wa'lls, will .substitute'. for the column I I.

' Figure 31fishows how"the"top "roof"'menibe1's coniposedof paneruhitsas 'seen-in-Figure 5 are 'laid' on"jo'ists35, -36 and 3"! -using-theinterlockingfsystenroi block -l l 6. This'preventssagging otthej 'pnelunits. The lioists I0 rest-on -the columnar members 1 I. The'p'anel"nnits on the curved ends of the semi-circular body structure arenot supported by any joists. Thepanel-units when positioned at an angleof 45 degrees and almost 90 degrees from the nearly flat position shownon top of the structure, act as a truss or become joists in themselvesand, therefore,

are self-supporting. These panel units need but be anchored to the sidewalls. On the inner surface of these side wall panels are nailed cleats38. To these cleats are fastened the ends of panel units. The strips 9strengthen, join and weather seal the panels. Said strips 9 may berigid, partially rigid, of composition or metal, or both. 7 I

The boards 3a of Figure 38 of the drawings are like those 3 previouslydescribed except, thatv they are each formed with one stringer recess oneach side so the stringers 4 do not lie on the l. A buildingconstruction comprising a framework including a series of column membersspaced apart and disposed in alignment, a second series of columnmembers spaced apart and disposed in alignment, plate members fastenedto the column members of each series at corre sponding ends thereof andto opposite'edges of the column members, and wood joist members ofprefabricated form having attached preformed end parts extendingtherefrom on opposite sides thereof interlocking between the platemembers of the twoseries of column members, said interlocking partscomprising wood blocks attached at opposite sides of the ends of thejoist members and having downward projections engaging between theadjacent plate members.

2. A building construction as claimed in claim 1, combined with panelunits supported on opposite edge portions on the joist members and eachpanel unit comprising a body having spaced stringers spaced from theadjacent edges of the panel unit and projecting from one side thereofand engaging between and against adjacent joists for predetermining thespacing of the latter,'said stringers resting on the joist interlockingparts aforesaid.

3'. A building construction as claimed in claim 1, combined with 'panelunits arranged so as to be supported on the joist members and each panelunit comprising a body having spaced stringers projecting from one sidethereof and engagingbetween and against adjacent joists forpredetermining the spacing of the latter, and other panel units of thesame width and construction as those first mentioned arranged at oneside of'the column members and attached thereto and having spacedstringer members lying between and against adjacent column members forpredetermining the spacing of the latter.

4. A building construction as claimed in claim 1, combined with panelmembers attached to the outer sides of the column members for forming awall, there being wall openings in alignment with the ends of the joistmembers, and a removable cover member for said openings detachable forenabling other aligned joist members to be engaged with the platemembers first'menti oned.

5. A building construction comprising spaced column members, platemembers attached to the column members at the upper and lower endsthereof and at corresponding outer sides thereof, vertical panel unitscomprising each a body and spaced stringers attached to the body at theinner side thereof slightly spaced from the vertical edges of the body,and arranged to lie against the opposing adjacent sides of spaced columnmembers with said vertical edges overlapping the outer edges of adjacentcolumn members, for predetermining the spacing and reinforcing of thelatter, said panel units being supported on and fastened to the columnmembers and lying between the plate members at the upper and lower endsof the column members.

6. A building construction comprising a framework and a covering outerwall for forming side and roof sections of the construction, saidcovering wall including a series of panel units, each panel unitcomprising transverse boards and longitudinal stringers applied to theboards at one side and secured thereto in spaced relation, adjacentpanel units having grooves at the end edges of said transverse boardsand having such edges juxtaposed in abutting relation, and sealing meansin said grooves between the juxtaposed edgesof the panel units, thesealing means interlocking the juxtaposed edgesof the panel units,combined with a covering applied to the free edges of the stringers inspaced relation to the bodies of the panel units.

7. In a building construction, a frame-work comprising a plurality ofcolumn members, spaced apart for carrying vertical loads, horizontalplate members attached to the outer and inner edges of the columnmembers, joists comprising unitary prefabricated end blocks interlockingbetween the plate members and supported by said blocks on the columnmembers, and panel members comprising body portions having spacedstringers unitary therewith and disposed to lie between and flat againstadjacent sides of said joists and supported at their ends on the saidblocks and thereby on said plates to carry vertical loads.

8. In a building construction, a frame-work comprising a series ofspaced column members, a second series of spaced column members spacedfrom the first series, a horizontal plate member carried by each of theseries of column members, joists extending from one series of columnmembers to the second series of such members, said joists having endinterlocking members fabricated in unit therewith and resting on andinterlocking withthe plate members of the two series of column membersto predetermine the spacing of the said series, and panel members eachcomprising a body unit having spaced stringers par- ,allel with andengaging adjacent sides of a pair of joists to predetermine spacing ofthe latter and reinforcing said joists, said stringers of each panelresting on the said interlocking members and thus carried by the platemembers of the two series of column members.

9. A building construction as claimed in claim 8, in which the unitaryend interlocking members of the joists consist of blocks attached toopposite sides of each joist end. said blocks having lugs extendingdownwardly to engage the plate members, and each block extending fromthe adjacent side of the joist member to form a rest for an adjacentstringer of the panel member above same, edge portions of each panelmember v ,11, in which each oist cq spacedhblocks atseaeh e Wardly mamspa e .plate members; and Q spaced rparts to 1 receive an .extension.-jpist when 4 end-r ajvoistf is remoyed.

I framework comprising a:

4 member eennecting--the top portions; o f the column members of each-series sbacewapart joists supported a-toppositeends on the platemembers of the spaced series-0f columnmembersg each N joist having apain-of side interlock block's at opposite sides 0t each end;to= engage-doyvn-over the plate member-adjacentsuch end to interlock-the :platemembers:togetherwand a prefabricated 10. z A building-constructionasielaimeckinzclaim :1 7;: in. which; the i stringers on each.panelsrnemher 0f ;continuouslengthtcorresn ndina cethat uof nadjacent-joist.

nmb ildings constructions amt 'ameswe zcqmpri n ;s aced.serisaoftcqlnmntm mbersiara ed in;sneqed relatio asp a e m mh n conn st nthe ;;column m mhe s e asa h ser st s es ie stssspa n n x-th spa etweenath WQ ri s L t co um at i en siontt e 4 134,1 a bu din ibnz tme eof ,column members, a ho: 4 member connecting the-top portionsyog th 1-umn members oi-each series, seaced apart "joists 4 supported-sat. io n se, en s p.011; e Ew -am bers;ofwthespaceq seriesot m1 a 10 h vi azpe r ie ni vr e k i lc at opposite sides or 1 each; end it engage .doiv11overthe plate, member adjacent r o thee'pla membe s tose hfabricatedpanelunitfipgmlifist semen-t eet sa d o s n h yinens aged ntud nalstr n ers on its underside parallel ad cent to the adjacent sides-of, the spaced jpi each Y stringer being spacedfslightly frornthe adacent tud F GT iLP pan l. fil t W i o edge restson" the :tOp'tOt:thefagijacent 'joist, .and each 'of saigl stringers restingatthe-endsther eof framework comprisingaplurality of spaced series as ofi; -,pane 1;,nni tspannin i the snacebetWen; said.jcists andhavingspaceilongitudinaL stringers on its i underside parallel with andadjacent to the adiia ent Sid -[I fr:tl Q sp ce joi each strin beingspacedslightly fromtthe ajacent longitudi- ,nal edge of the panel unitand which edge rests ,;on; the top of the adjacent joist, and eachofsaid stringersresting ,at the ends-thereof on the inter- 1901;; blockson the opposite ends. of an adjacent loq iqistgthe column members andthe said joi sts 15; ,iacentsides of the columnmempers, a lowerhorizontalplate member connecting the lower ends of the-column members,the said wall vpanel memerszbeing disposed betweenthe npper and. lower lplate members.

5420' 1.15 A buildingrconstruction as claimed in claim 13,:in..Which1thepanel units are made up of a series of board-members 'laidedge to edgetransy .erse.,an(i ,perrnanent1y secured to the stringers, ,said boarqmembers .havingalinecl notched porg t liQns L'nearl their ends receivingthe said stringers and interlo cking thelatter. to the board members.

QEDWINO References Cited in the file 0i, this -.pa tent .1 i iIf LESQLAEITESPAIENTS 4 Number Name Date 353; 162 -M'cVay =Mar.13, 1866827=,030 Noblett 'Ju1y 24, 1906 1559,4533 Goodrich ..-Aug;;24;1920 11,563,481 Gilchrist et al. Dec. 1,1925 1;;669541 .Spre'en May 15,19281,846,658 Rockwell '-Feb;' 23, -1932 1 2,053,462 .LChaplin Sept; 8, 19362,109365 Foster Feb. 221938 2,129,441 Otto Sept.'6,-1 938 ,2,'177',699:"Fisher .Oct 31, 1939 2,300,113 :-;,-Eab er rOct.-27, 1942 ;=2 ,351 2091 'HQbbS June 13,1944 2,384;L98 :fiheldon, -4 Sept. 4, 1945 2,401,589Smith "Li June 4, 71946 i j Cl0ss .Sept.v 10, 1946 JansenN0v.416,-.19.48 Kumpaflr Sept.:-27,.1949

OIHERREEERENGES HORSE Qor sir q mnpetails.s co djes it by Burban hubl bd 19 9, .simm d a li h s v i? reo,rm ,"N.evv; York,

